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22 Christmas Basket Ideas Anyone Will Love to Open

Christmas basket ideas for family, friends and neighbors, 22 gift baskets with what to put in each, about what they cost and how to build one that looks full.

By Jen · Published

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22 Christmas Basket Ideas Anyone Will Love to Open
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Christmas basket ideas are the easiest way to give a gift that feels thought out without a big budget. A basket holds a theme, so a mug, a jar of cocoa and a bag of candy suddenly look like a real present. I have given a basket to a neighbor or two every December, and they always get the most thank yous.

Below are 22 Christmas basket ideas for family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Each one says what goes in the basket, about what it costs and one tip to make it look full.

After the list you will find a simple way to build any basket and a short FAQ. If you are also hunting for a group gift, see our white elephant gift ideas, and for the table, try our fall basket centerpieces.

1. A hot cocoa basket with candy canes and a cozy mug

A hot cocoa Christmas basket with candy canes, a mug and a jar of cocoa mixSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Fill a basket with a big mug, a jar of homemade cocoa mix, marshmallows, candy canes and a small ornament. It looks like Christmas the second the cellophane comes off.

Spoon the cocoa mix into a jar and tie on a tag with the stir in directions. The whole basket costs about 15 to 20 dollars, and the mug is the only thing you have to buy new.

2. A coffee lover basket in a seagrass tray

A woven seagrass basket holding a bag of coffee beans, a thermos, glass jars, a French press and two mint green mugsSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Pack in a bag of good beans, two mugs, a travel tumbler, a glass jar of sugar and a French press. Add a small treat like biscotti if you have room.

A seagrass tray works better than a regular basket because it sits flat and the mugs do not tip. Shop the coffee on sale in November and the basket lands near 30 dollars.

3. A tea lover basket with cookies and a handwritten tag

A shallow wicker basket with a tin of tea, a box of tea bags, cookies and a small handwritten gift tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Tea fans love a basket with a tin of loose tea or a box of sachets, a pretty cup, honey and a pack of shortbread. Finish it with a small handwritten tag.

Keep it small and use a shallow wicker basket so it looks full. About 15 dollars covers the tea, the cookies and a cup from the thrift store.

4. A his and hers coffee bin for a couple

A black and white striped fabric bin lined with blue fabric, holding two coffee mugs, candy canes and chocolates on a white fur rugSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Give a couple a striped fabric bin with two matching mugs, a bag of coffee, candy canes and a little something for each of them. One mug says his and the other says hers.

A bin like this is easy to reuse for blankets or toys later. Budget about 25 dollars, and add a tiny bag of chocolates for the kids if they have any.

5. A movie night popcorn bowl with candy

A red and white striped popcorn bowl filled with popcorn, candy and a gift card, wrapped in cellophane with a red and white bowSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

A big popcorn bowl becomes the basket. Fill it with microwave popcorn, a few boxes of candy, a gift card for a movie rental and a bow around the top.

Wrap the whole bowl in clear cellophane so everything shows. It is a good pick for a family with kids, and it comes in around 20 dollars.

6. An ice cream sundae bucket

A cardboard crate holding paper bowls, jars of toppings, candy, a scoop and a tag that reads just add ice creamSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Fill a box or bucket with paper bowls, spoons, sprinkles, hot fudge, cherries, nuts and a tag that says just add ice cream. Everyone gets to build their own sundae.

It is a treat for a family with kids and costs about 20 dollars. Skip the ice cream itself, and tell them to pick up a tub on the way home.

7. A nacho night tub with salsa and chips

A galvanized metal tub holding tortilla chips, jars of salsa and queso, a green dish towel and a handwritten nacho tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Use a galvanized tub for a taco and nacho night. Add chips, salsa, queso, a jar of jalapenos, a dish towel and a little hand lettered tag.

A tub like this doubles as a drink cooler at the next party. The whole thing is around 20 to 25 dollars, and you can add taco shell holders if you want to go bigger.

8. Homemade spice blends in a wicker basket

A dark brown wicker basket holding small jars of homemade spice blends with round labels, packed in shredded paperSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

This is one of the nicest handmade gifts on the list. Mix your own taco seasoning, ranch blend and chili rub, pour each into a small jar and stand the jars in a dark wicker basket.

Print simple labels and add the recipe on the back of each. Spices are cheap when you buy them in bulk, so the basket costs about 10 to 15 dollars.

9. A cheese, nuts and crackers wire basket

A wire basket holding wedges of cheese, a wooden cheese board, a knife, a jar of honey and crackersSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

A wire basket holds a small wooden cheese board, a cheese knife, two cheeses, a jar of honey, nuts and a box of crackers. It feels fancy without being hard to pull off.

Pick hard cheeses that keep for a few days, and tell the person to refrigerate it right away. Plan on about 35 dollars, and add a small bottle of wine for a bigger gift.

10. A campfire s’mores basket

A wicker basket lined with a blue gingham cloth holding jars of marshmallows and chocolate, graham crackers and a s'mores tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Pack graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars and roasting sticks into a wicker basket lined with a gingham cloth. Add a jar of extra marshmallows and a tag.

This one is great for families with a fire pit or a fireplace. The basket runs about 15 to 20 dollars, and the roasting sticks are the only specialty item.

11. A baking kit in a mixing bowl

A pink mixing bowl holding red oven mitts, a red spatula, a box of cake mix, frosting and sprinkles with a gift tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Use a mixing bowl as the basket and fill it with a cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, a spatula, oven mitts and cupcake liners. Bakers love getting the whole project in one bowl.

Buy the mix and frosting on sale, and the bowl, mitts and spatula can come from a dollar store. Expect to spend about 20 dollars.

12. An indoor herb garden in a painted tub

A galvanized metal planter painted light blue holding small potted herbs with white plant markers on a wooden tableSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Plant basil, thyme, parsley and chives in a galvanized tub and add little garden markers. Paint the tub a soft color if you want it to look special.

Herbs do well on a sunny kitchen windowsill all winter. Seeds and soil make it a 10 to 15 dollar gift, or buy starter plants for about 20.

13. A farmhouse crate with a candle, cocoa and a book

A rustic wooden crate filled with wood shavings, a small metal house, a book and a framed print with a farmhouse lover tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

For a farmhouse lover, fill a rustic wooden crate with a small decor house, a coffee table book, a framed print and a bit of shredded paper. A paper tag that says farmhouse lover ties it together.

A crate is a gift on its own, because they can use it for storage afterward. This one is about 30 dollars, and thrifted pieces keep it lower.

14. A self care basket with a candle and a wooden massager

A round woven basket holding a white candle, a jar of lotion and a wooden massager on a light surfaceSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Put a candle, a bar of soap, body lotion, a wooden massager and a soft washcloth in a round woven basket. It is calm and simple.

Choose one scent family so everything goes together. About 25 dollars will cover it, and a small bag of bath salts makes it feel special.

15. A relaxation basket with bath products and greenery

A white clay pot holding a bottle of bath wash, a candle and a bar of soap with sprigs of green leaves and a gift tagSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Tuck a bottle of bath wash, a small candle, a bar of soap, a gift tag and a few sprigs of greenery into a white clay pot. The greenery makes it look fresh.

Print a gift tag that tells them to take a night off. It is about 20 dollars, and the pot can go on a windowsill afterward.

16. A DIY beauty and skincare box

A wooden box holding three small jars of homemade bath salts and sugar scrub on a soft knit blanket with a ribbon spoolSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Make your own bath salts, a sugar scrub and a lip balm, and pack the jars in a wooden box on a bed of shredded paper. Add a ribbon and a handwritten tag.

Homemade skincare is cheaper than store bought, and a box of three jars costs about 10 dollars to make. Label the jars with the ingredients.

17. A natural and organic beauty basket

A round wicker basket holding rolled white towels, natural soap bars wrapped in twine and sea spongesSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

If your friend avoids harsh ingredients, fill a wicker basket with natural soap, a loofah, a sea sponge and a rolled white towel. Wrap the soap in twine.

Look for plant based products and shop small makers at craft fairs. A basket like this runs about 30 dollars.

18. A fresh flowers basket with floral gifts

A copper wire basket holding a fresh flower bouquet, a rose petal face mask, a candle and a floral cloth on a bedSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Build a basket around a small bouquet, then add floral soap, lotion, a face mask and a scented candle. A copper wire basket looks lovely and the shine catches the eye.

Order the bouquet for the day you give it so the flowers stay fresh. Skip the fresh flowers if the gift will sit, and use dried ones instead. About 35 dollars.

19. A health and wellness rope basket

A rope basket holding a white insulated tumbler, fuzzy slippers, a snack bag and a blue acupressure mat on a white blanketSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

A rope basket holds an insulated tumbler with a straw, a pair of fuzzy slippers, a healthy snack and an acupressure mat. Pick a few things that fit the person.

This basket suits someone starting a new habit in January. The rope basket is about 12 dollars, and the full gift lands near 40 dollars.

20. A faith basket with a journal and a favorite mug

A woven basket holding a cream throw blanket, a mug, a floral journal and colored pensSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Give a woman of faith a basket with a devotional book, a floral journal, a few gel pens, a soft throw and a favorite mug. Add a small card with a verse.

A thrifted wicker basket keeps it cheap. Expect about 25 to 30 dollars, and let the book and the mug carry the message.

21. A book lover box with a tumbler and cozy socks

A white gift box holding a paperback book, a green tumbler, socks and a bookmarkSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Pack a new paperback, a tumbler, a pair of cozy socks, a candle and a bookmark in a simple white box. Add a gift card to a bookstore if you can.

A hardcover feels like a bigger gift, but a paperback keeps the cost near 25 dollars. Pick a book you have read and love, and write a note inside.

22. A favorite things basket

A basket packed with a book, a travel coffee cup, socks, a candle and pink shredded paperSave

Credit: A Hundred Affections

Fill a basket with the things you know your friend loves. That could be her coffee, a book, a candle, fuzzy socks and a treat from her favorite shop.

This is the easiest idea on the list because there is no theme to plan. It runs about 30 to 40 dollars, and it always feels personal.

How to build any of these Christmas basket ideas in five steps

  1. Pick a theme and a person. A basket for a coffee fan is easier to fill than one for everyone. Think about what they use.
  2. Choose the container. A basket, a crate, a bowl or a bucket all work. Pick something they can reuse.
  3. Add height. Crumple paper or tissue in the bottom so the gifts sit near the top. A tall item like a jar or a bottle goes at the back.
  4. Arrange from big to small. Place the largest items first, then fill the gaps with small treats. Tuck in shredded paper so nothing slides.
  5. Wrap and tag. Cover the basket in clear cellophane and tie it with a ribbon. Add a handwritten tag with a short note.

What do you put in a Christmas gift basket

Every basket needs one main item, a few small treats and something to use now. A mug, a book or a jar can be the main item. Treats like candy, cookies or tea fill the space, and a candle or a pair of socks adds comfort.

Keep food items sealed and check dates. If the person has allergies, ask before you add nuts or chocolate.

How much should a Christmas basket cost

You can make a nice basket for 10 to 15 dollars, and most of the ideas above land between 20 and 40. Buy items on sale in November, shop dollar stores for baskets and tags, and look in thrift stores for mugs and crates. A homemade item, like a spice blend or a sugar scrub, adds value and costs very little.

FAQ

What is a good Christmas basket for a neighbor? A cocoa basket, a baking kit or a coffee basket is easy and friendly. Keep it small and include a handwritten note.

Can I make a Christmas basket ahead of time? Yes. Build it up to a week early and store it somewhere cool. Add anything fresh, like flowers or cheese, on the day you give it.

What can I use instead of a basket? A mixing bowl, a galvanized bucket, a wooden crate or a fabric bin all hold gifts well and can be reused.

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